Abstract: The instant application describes a programmable apparatus for making coffee that includes a hopper for holding coffee beans; a grinding element for receiving the coffee beans and grinding them to produce ground coffee; and a brewing chamber for receiving programmable quantities of ground coffee and combining the ground coffee with quantities of hot, pressurized water. The programmable apparatus for making coffee also includes a piston for compressing the ground coffee, the piston being arranged to enter the brewing chamber at an open end thereof; an o-ring fitted to the outside of the piston so as to maintain a pressure-tight seal against the wall of the brewing chamber; and a programming element for selectively determining a quantity C of ground coffee to be combined with a quantity W of water in the brewing chamber, the brewing chamber being capable of accommodating more than 14 grams of ground coffee.

Abstract: A cappuccino making apparatus having a coffee making unit and a separate milk preparation unit. The two units are housed within individual and separate cabinets and are connected by a set of liquid conduits that deliver milk from the milk unit to the coffee unit, this configuration thus allowing the units to be stored in different locations so as to maximize counter space. The coffee making unit can operate independently of the milk preparation unit, and when no milk is being dispensed by the coffee unit, the milk in the conduits is recirculated back to the milk unit so that stale milk is never dispensed by the coffee unit.